Metal roof construction



March 28, 1961 R. c. LlNcK 2,976,648

METAL ROOF CONSTRUCTION Filed July 5. 1,957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 vIN VENTOR.

FIG. 6 ROBE/er C. L/NcK March 28', 1961 R. c. LlNcK METAL ROOFCONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3, 1957 w. m w. m

Rogner C. L/fvcx TDRNEY March 28, 1961 R. c. LlNcK METAL RooFCONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 3. 1957 IN VEN TOR. @neural/cxTORAEY METAL RF CONSTRUCTION Robert C. Linck, Mount Pleasant andPanorama Roads, Villanova, Pa.

Filed duly 3, 1957, Ser. No. 669,'805

2 Claims. (Cl. Sil-211) This invention relates to improvements `in metalvroof constructions and more particularly, it pertains to metal roofsutilizing parallel battens between which sheets of roofing metal extendand to which the opposite edges of said rooting metal sheets areattached.

lt has been common practice for many years to apply metal sheets toroofs by means of the use of battens of various kinds. Such roofs,incidentally, usually are applied to buildings of substantial size suchas institutions, public buildings of various kinds, ofce buildings,churches, and the like, lbut also may be applied to individual housesused yfor residential purposes. Roofs of the type to which the presentinvention pertain are more expensive to construct and apply than theroofs commonly used on residences. Further, roofs of this type such asare used on institutions and other similar types of buildings are verydurable and usually are installed for purposes of lasting many yearswithout repair or attention of any kind.

Batten type roofs used heretofore and also as presently constructedembody various types of battens which are fastened to the roof sheathingin parallel relationship to each other, usually being positioned withinparallel planes perpendicular to the ridge of the roof. Under somecircumstances, the battens are formed wood stock and are of the order oftwo inches square in cross-section. Such battens are nailed or bolteddirectly to the roofsheathing. The sheet metal rooting sheets aredisposed at against the roof sheathing and the opposite edges or `theroof .sheets adjacent the battens are bent lupwardly to provide verticalanges which are positioned adjacent the vertical `walls of the battensand a variety of different means are available and used to cover theupper surfaces of the battens and also cverlie 'the edge flanges of theroof sheets to prevent leakage.

In more recent years, the 'battens have been formed from bent orextruded structural metallic members of various shapes in cross-section,such battens also being fastened directly to the roof sheathing, bynails or screws, and the roof sheets are disposed between the battenssimilarly to the arrangement employed in regard to that described abovein connection with wooden battens. The use of metal battens howeverpresents problems relative to connecting covering and clamp-ing membersto the battens and little if any possibility of adjustability betweenthe 'battens and the securing means has been provided.

lt is the principal object of the present invention to provide ametallic roof construction which includes the use of channel shapedbattens of indelinite length which -are fastened directly to roofsheathing in spaced parallel ly upward from the sheathing. The principalkimprovement afforded by the present invention is that means areprovided which are longitudinally adjustable vrelative to the battens,whereby elongated, channel shaped hatten Z,9?6,643 atentecl Main 28,i961 covers may be disp'osedover the battens and the upstanding edgeflanges of the roof sheets, and clamping comprising part of thelongitudinally adjustable means conneeted to the battens so as to securethe batten covers in operative position to alford a'water-tight roofwhich is capable of many years of trouble-free service.

Another object of the present invention is to provide clamping andsecuring means for the batten covers which are not only movablelongitudinally along the battens so as to dispose them at any desiredposition therealong, but said clamping 7and securing means arerelatively inexpensive and are simple to install and operate, dueprimarily to the fact that such clamping and securing means areconnected to vand adjustable along the battens only, as distinguishedfrom being connected to the .roof sheathing as is common practice atpresent.

Still another object of the invention is to provide finishing elementsof several different kinds which are utilized in the metallic roofcomprising the present invention, particularly fo-r vpurposes offacilitating the Vapplication of ridge caps in an attractive andwater-tight manner, as well as closing the ends of the channel shapedbattens -in an effective manner.

Details of the foregoing objects and `of the invention, as well as otherobjects thereof, `are set forth in the following specification andillustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a partthereof.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical -transverse sectional `view through an exemplaryroof embodying the present invention Iand showing details of a hatten,clamp-ing means, batten cover, and adjacent edges of roof sheetsconnected to the hatten, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional Vertical 'elevation taken on the line2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the construction shown in Fig. l butillustrating the hatten and part of the clamping means incident to beinginstalled upon the roof sheathing.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an anchor clip per se, made inaccordance with the principles of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the preferredmethod of connecting roof sheets to the -batten and the relativeposition of the clamping means to the roof sheets and the batten, priorto the application of the' batten cover thereon.

Fig. k6 is a-perspective lview of a saddle member which cooperates withthe anchor clip shown in Fig. 4 to comprise the principal elements yofthe clamping means.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary section of hatten cover ofthe type illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lower end of a fragmentary portionof a roof and hatten assembly employing the principles of the inventionand also showing the application of a cover element for .the end of thehatten.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cover element for the lower end of abatten as illustrated in the assembly shown in Fig. 8. i

Fig. l0 is an exemplary illustration of two adjoining sections of apeaked roof, illustrated fragmentarily, formed in accordance with theinvention and also illustrating a hip angle, the hip cover and ridge orpeak cover basically, being similar in construction.

Fig. ll is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line11'-1 of Fig. l0 and -illustrated on a larger scale to show details offinishing means employedni-n connection with the peak and hip'coversshown perspectively in Fig. 10.

An exemplary application of a metal roof construction in accordance withthe principles of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings,it being understood that the invention is not to be restricted to thespecific details and proportions shown in the various figures. Referringto Figs. l and 2, it will be seen that the fragmentary portion of theroof illustrated therein comprisessheathing material specifically shownas boards 10 which are supported by suitable rafters, purlins, or thelike, not shown. Board-type sheathing is highly suitable as a supportingsurface for the various elements of the roof embodying the presentinvention, principally because nails or screws can be utilized to securethe battens directly to the board sheathing 10. Other types of sheathingor supporting base may be used.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, it will be seen that the roofcomprises a plurality of channel shaped battens 12 which may be formedeither by bending sheet metal, such as aluminum, or extruding aluminumor other similar material to provide the desired shape. The battens 12preferably are formed with a central raised portion 14 in the basethereof to provide a pair of gutters 16 on opposite sides of the raisedportion 14.

At regular spaced intervals along the raised portion 14,

holes 18 are provided for purposes of receiving attaching means such aswood screws 20 in order to secure the battens 12 to the sheathing 10. Itwill be understood of course that nails or any other suitable securingmeans may be used in lieu of the screws 20. The holes 18 preferably areelongated to permit expansion and contraction. v

A roof.of this type preferably is applicable to a building requiring asloping roof. When first applying the roof structure, the battens 12 areattached initially to the sheathing 10 by extending up the slope of thesheathing of the roof so as to be within parallel planes which arespaced apart and vertical to the ridge of the roof. It is essentiallthatthe battens 12 be quite accurately parallel to each other in orderthat the metallic roofing sheets 22 may, for example, be selected fromstandard widths of stock material such as stock aluminum, copper, or thelike, and the edges 24 thereof are bent more or less vertically to theplane of the sheets 22, as shown in Figs. l and particularly. It ispreferred however that the edges 24 not be exactly vertical in order toprovide clearance spaces 26 between the inner surfaces of said edges andthe outer surfaces of the sides 28 of the battens 12. Said sides 28preferably are substantially parallel to each other so as to be verticalto the plane of the sheathing 10.

The upper ends of the sides 28 of battens 12 also are provided withterminal anges 30 which extend inwardly toward each other and preferablydownwardly at an angle as clearly shown in Figs. l and 3, for purposesto be described. Also the terminal edges 32 of the roofing sheets arebent relative to the edge portions 24 thereof so as to overlie theterminal anges 30 of the battens approximately as shown in Fig. l,primarily for purposes of providing seating of the terminal edges 32against the upper edges of the battens. Such arrangement also affordswater-tightness. The spaces 26 also aord latitude for expansion andcontraction of the roofing sheets 22.

By mounting the battens 12 in parallel relationship, it is possible toprepare the edges of the rooting sheets 22 in a factory, contractorsshop, or the like prior to moving the .same to the building where theyare to be installed. After the battens 12 have been positioned on thesheathing by screws 20 and the roofing sheets 22 with the pre-formededges 24 and 32 thereon have been placed upon the sheathing 10 betweenthe battens, whereby the terminal edges 32 of the rooting sheets overliethe terminal edges 30 of the battens as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, aplurality of anchor clips 34 are inserted within the battens between theterminal flanges 30 thereof. Without limitation thereto, it has beenfound practical to form the -battens 12 so as to be approximately twoinches wide 4 and two inches high. Such arrangement will afford amplespace between the terminal flanges 30 thereof for insertion of theanchor clips 34 from the top of the battens. Where the clips 34 are tobe mounted near either end of the batten however, said clips may beinserted from the open ends of the battens.

Preferably, the anchor clips 34 are provided with a central recess 36and, intermediately of the ends of said recess, a hole 38 is provided.The hole 38 receives a clamping bolt 40, the head of which is receivedsomewhat snugly within the recess 36 and opposite sides of the head ofthe bolt 40 engage the sides of the channels 36 to prevent the bolt fromrotating when a nut is threaded thereonto. Also, if desired, the head ofthe bolt 40 may be staked or otherwise affixed to the clip 34 within theelongated recess 36 so that the two comprise an operable unit. Also, theopposite edges of the clip 34 extend oppositely and upwardly to provideclamping flanges 42 which preferably are complementary to the innersurfaces of the terminal flanges 30 of battens 12 so as to engage thesame firmly when mounted in operative position. The clips 34 readily maybe moved longitudinally along the battens 12 so as to be disposed at anydesired longitudinally spaced position thcrealong. After the clips 34have been positioned approximately as desired within the battens, asaddle member 44, shown in detail in Fig. 6, which is provided with acentral bolt receiving hole 46 is disposed so as to overlie the clip 34with the bolt 4t) projecting through the hole 45. Further, oppositeedges of the saddle member 44 are bent downwardly to provide ears 48which overlie the edges 24 of the roofing sheet and accurately hold thesame positioned relative to the upper edges of the battens 12, asclearly shown particularly in Fig. l. The saddle members 44 are securedin anchoring position by nuts 50. The nut initially is only looselythreaded onto the bolt 40 so that the' assembled clips 34 and saddlemembers 44 may be longitudinally moved relative to the battens 12 asdesired. Then, when the bolts 40 supported by said clamping meanscomprising the clips 34 and saddle members 44 have been spacedlongitudinally and preferably accurate even distances apart, the nuts 50may be tightened.

The clamping means just described comprising the clips 34 and saddlemembers 44 comprise the principal means for clamping the edges 24 of therooting sheets 22 to the battens 12. However, in order to close the topof the batten and provide a generally water-tight arrangement for theassembly, a U-shaped batten cover S2, formed either by bending fromsheet metal stock or by extrusion, is mounted over the assemblypreviously described, as shown in Fig. 1. An exemplary perspective viewof the batten cover member Ais shown in Fig. 7. It will be seen thatsaid cover is provided with opposite substantially parallel sides 54 andthe central portion between the sides is provided medially with aplurality of preferably evenly spaced holes 56 through which the bolt 40projects. By mounting the clamping means and bolts 40 even distancesalong the battens 12 as described above, in accordance with the spacingof the holes 56 in cover 52, it will be seen that the cover 52accurately may be disposed over the assembly and the upper ends of thebolts 40 will project through the holes 56, whereby preferably rustproofthumb nuts 58 are threaded onto projecting ends of the bolts to securethe batten cover S2 in position wherein the lower edges thereofpreferably firmly engage the outer surfaces of sides 24 of roong sheetsl22 as shown in Fig. 1,'thereby forming a water-tight roof arrangement.In the preferred construction, thumb nuts 58 are the cap type having aclosed top which prevents the entrance of moisture.

The principal invention of the construction described hereinabove andparticularly with regard to the longitudinal adjustability of theclamping means comprising clips 34 and saddle members 44 is that holesS6 may be provided wherever desired in the batten cover 52 and theclamping means may be moved longitudinally along the `hatten to conformto the holes 56 in the cover. Further, -it is desirable that suchclamping-means be disposed adjacent opposite ends of the battens 12 inorder to provide means for securing finishing elements to be describedhereinafter. It-is simply necessary to drill the holes 56 and nothreading or other finishing thereof is necessary, as distinguished fromprior constructions, wherein the clamping means have not been adjustablelongitudinally along the battens.

It will be understood that the battens 12 may be formed in conventionalstock lengths of 20 feet or so and, particularly in lroofs which extend.upwardly a :greater distance than the stock lengths of the battens,said battens may he mounted in end-to-end relationship so as to extendthe -same indefinitely. If preferred however, one end of each section ofhatten 12may be swaged or otherwise bent so as'to be contracted andthereby telescopically iit into Vthe normal end of an adjacent sectionof batten in longitudinal alignment therewith, thus providingcontinuvous battens and gutters for the entire vertical dimension of theroof. YConcerning the batten covers 52, the material from which the sameare formed usually is sufficiently `thin and flexible that adjoiningends of the batten covers may be disposed in overlapping relationship,shinglefashion, so as to provide water-tight connections betweenadjacent ends of stock lengths of batten covers for example.

Referring to Figs. and 1l, wherein exemplary illustrations of portionsof a complete roof are illustrated in accordance with the invention, itwill be seen that the ridge of the roof is provided with aridge cap 60,angularly related flanges 62 of which are formed at an angle to eachother corresponding to the angle of the ridge of the roof. The upperends of the battens 12 extend substantially into meeeting engagementwith each other as shown in Fig. 11. The flanges 60 overlie the battencovers 52. In order to close the space between the sides of the hattencovers, said space being substantially equal to the width of the roofingsheets 22, the present invention contemplates the use of a finishingclosure plate 64, shown in cross-section in Fig. 11. Said closure plateis sufficiently long to extend between adjacent batten covers and isdisposed beneath the anges 62 of cap 60, the height of the closure plate64 being equal to the space between the inner surface of the lianges 62and the upper surface of the roof sheets 22. Closure plate 64 preferablyis Z- shaped and has an outwardly directed upper ange 66 and an inwardlydirected lower flange 68. The lower terminal edge 70 of ridge cap 60 isbent around the flange 66 as shown in Fig. ll, while the upper end 72 ofthe roof sheets 22 are bent outwardly and downwardly over the lowerflange 68 of closure plate 64, thereby making a water-tight joint aswell as blocking ingress to birds and insects.

When the terminal edges 70 of cap 60 and upper ends 72 of roof sheets 22have been bent as described above, there is no need otherwise to anchorthe closure plate 64 relative to the roof. Such anchoring preventsupward or downward movement of the closure plate. Otherwise, it is onlynecessary to provide a securing unit comprising clip 34 and saddlemember 44 adjacent the upper end of each hatten in order that holes maybe formed in the ridge cap 60 to receive the bolts 40 to which the thumbnuts 58 may be connected to secure the ridge cap 60 rmly in operativeposition upon the roof.

Under circumstances where it is necessary to provide a ridge cap at ahip corner of the roof as shown in Fig. 10, a hip cap 74 may be usedwhich is similar to the ridge caps 60 and the hip cap is connected tothe roof by overlying the upper ends of the batten covers 52 similarlyto the manner in which the ridge caps 60 overlie the same. Also, aclosure plate 64 will extend at an angle between adjacent batteri covers52 and be connected to the assembly in the same manner as the closureplate 64. It will be understood that lthe 1"thumb nuts 581will securethefhip cap '74 rmly in operative position and the-upperend of the hipcap 74 preferably will lunderlie'the lowerredgs of the ridge caps 60.

A roof of the type'described usually will ybe finished suitably at thelower edge thereof by appropriate metallic gutter, coping or molding 76which is mounted over wooden sheathing and framing 78 or otherwise. Theupper edge of the molding or coping 76 preferably will underlie thelower edges of the roofing sheets 22 as shown in Fig. l() and securingunits including the bolts 40'will be mounted, preferably evenly spacedfromthelower ends ofthe battens 12 .as shown in Fig. 10. Thebolts inthese lower securing means not only will hold the batten covers 52 inoperative position but the same also conveniently are utilized to securecover members 80 .over the lower ends of the battens 12, as best shownin Fig.8. A typical cover member .80, constructed as contemplatedin'accord- .ance with the invention, is shown in perspective in Fig. 9.

The plate 80 inV provided with side wings'82 which respec- .tivelyoverlie the upturned edges 24 of the roong'sheets 22. The lower edge isprovided with an outwardly extending flange 84 which will overlie eitherthe roofing sheets or coping 76. Also, a strap.86 having an'aperture 88therein will extend inwardly between'the saddle member 44 and the covermember 52 in order that the hole 88 in strap 86 may receive bolt 40 andthereby hold the cover member 80 in operative position within the end ofthe batten assembly.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa highly durable and effective roof formed preferably from non-corrosivemetal which is capable of long years of use without attention. Dueparticularly to the longitudinal adjustability of the securing means,comprising anchor clips 34 and saddle members 44 and bolts 40, relativeto the battens 12, much more latitude and mobility is provided than isavailable in existing structures for disposing such securing meanswherever desired along the battens 12. The particular design ofthesecuring means and particularly of the anchor clips 34 provides highlyeffective means for retaining the roofing sheets assembled on thesheathing of a roof without necessitating the use of any nails or screwsthrough the rooting sheets. The only outwardly exposed holes in theentire assembly are the holes 56 in the batten covers 52 and theseeffectively are covered by thumb nuts 58. If preferred, rubber or resinwashers 90, see Figs. 1 and 2, may be disposed between the outer surfaceof the batten covers 52 and the undersurface of nuts 58 to insureabsolute water-tightness.

Should it ever be necessary to replace any of the roofing sheets forexample, it is only required that the thumb nuts 58 be removed from thebatten covers 52 which are involved, following which the required saddlemembers 44 may be removed to permit the rooting sheets 22 which are tobe replaced to be removed from the roof.

It will be understood that conventional means are employed forconnecting upper and lower edges of adjacent roong sheets 22 to eachother in accordance with ordinary practice.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, and has included certain details, it should beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the precisedetails herein illustrated and described since the same may be carriedout in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A sheet metal roof construction to be applied to roof sheathing andcomprising in combination, elongated metallic channel-shaped battenshaving substantially parallel planar sides terminating at the outeredges thereof in terminal fianges coextensive in length therewith andextending inward and downward therefrom, the bases of said battens beingattachable to the roof sheathing in spaced parallel relationship to eachother and said planar sides extending substantially vertically from saidbases when in use, whereby the terminal flanges are uppermost, anchorclips positionable selectively in longitudinally spaced positions alongsaid battens and engaging the terminal anges thereof, a saddle memberfor each anchor clip extending across and having opposite down-turnededges respectively overlying the upper edges of said battensto securesaid anchor clips adjustably to said battens, metallic roof sheetsextending between said spaced battens and the terminal edges thereofbeing flanged upwardly and overlying the sides of said battens,elongated channel-shaped batten covers disposed in inverted positionover said battens and lthe sides of said covers extending downwardlyover said terminal edges of said roof sheets i in close engagement torender the engagement of said roof sheets with said battens water-tight,single bolts extending through each of said anchor clips and saddlemembers and extending above the same and through holes in said hattencovers, a nut on each bolt engaging said saddle member to secure thesame to said anchor clip and clamp said clip securely against theflanges of said battens, and a cap nut secured to the outer end of eachbolt against the outer surface of the batten covers to secure saidcovers to said battens.

2. The sheet metal roof construction set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized bysaid anchor clips having opposed spaced wallsintermediately of the sides thereof and substantially parallel to thesides of said batten, and said bolts having heads thereon provided withopposed side surfaces complementary in cross-section to said opposedwalls of said anchor clips, whereby said bolt heads 4are positionablebetween and engageable with said opposed walls of said anchor clips tohold said bolts against rotation when threading the nuts thereonincident to assembling the saddle members to the clips and cap nutsagainst the batten covers.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FranceMay 20, 1957

